Get Growing with Mary Fisk-Taylor's Marketing & Sales - PPA Today

Get Growing with Mary Fisk-Taylor's Marketing & Sales

Mary Fisk-Taylor, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI, API, has earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after portrait and wedding photographers in her area. Along with running Hayes & Fisk: The Art of Photography in Virginia with her business partner Jamie Hayes, M.Photog.Cr., ABI, API, she also opened a second studio two years ago to focus on children and high school senior photography. Her success can be traced directly back to several marketing plans that keep her appointment books full...even with two studios to deal with!

Mary is proof positive that marketing (and sales) keep your photography business growing if they are done right. But there are many pitfalls that you can fall into if you aren't smart with these techniques.

"It is so easy to get caught up in trendy or temporary marketing campaigns," explains Mary about one marketing pitfall. "But if they ultimately do not represent your business or who you are as a professional photographer, they will most likely fail."

Along with being true to your vision, Mary adds that photographers need to keep their numbers and costs in mind in order to run a successful marketing campaign.

"Not every campaign has to cost tons of money," she notes. "Sometimes the simplest partnership with a like-minded business can reap the biggest rewards." Just look at her own success with partnership and charitable marketing campaigns, which have led to a "more qualified potential client base and, ultimately, bigger sales."

Another "simple" thing that plays a big part in setting successful businesses like hers apart is customer service. "Customer service is key!" exclaims Mary. "People hire photographers, not photographs. So, more than ever, that platinum client treatment is important."If you want to learn more from Mary's marketing and sales experience, don't miss her sessions during the PPA Tour 2011 stop in Houston (August 22). She's sure to share more ideas that you can use to get your business growing!

Among her many honors, Mary has received the PPA Charities Legacy Award and the Virginia Award, which honors commitment and dedication to the state association and to the business of professional photography. She is also a proud member of the Society of XXV and current president of the PPA Charities Trustee Board. For her accomplishments, Mary was named as one of Virginia's Top 40 Under 40.

The PPA Tour 2011: One to Grow On is an eight-city slate of daylong workshops, starting August 15 in Atlanta. Each event--designed for those just getting into photography or those needing a refresher--is focused on helping photographers make more money, while finding new ways to differentiate their studios in a highly competitive industry. Read more about the PPA Tour 2011 here, and see more of the cities and speakers here.